Porsche wrestles Nürburgring electric car speed record back from Tesla

The battle for EV speed supremacy is hotting up with Porsche this week overtaking Tesla to set a new fully-electric production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Porsche development driver Lars Kern took the record after lapping the 20.8km circuit in just seven minutes and 33 seconds in a Taycan Turbo S.

The previous record of 7 minutes 35.579 seconds was set last September by Andreas Simonsen in an unmodified Tesla Model S Plaid.

Although the Taycan Turbo S is officially classed as a standard production model, verified by  TÜV Rheinland, it was equipped with a performance kit from Porsche Tequipment, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC).

The previous record was held by a Tesla Model S Plaid, which recorded a time of 7m 36s last year

The performance kit includes 21-inch RS-Spyder-design wheels with road-approved, Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tyres that are now available for the Taycan. 

Kevin Giek, Vice President Model Line Taycan at Porsche, said: “We’re delighted that the Nürburgring record for electric cars is back in Porsche hands.

“This lap time not only shows how much potential lies in our new performance kit, but also confirms once again the sports car genes of the Taycan.” 

The Porsche team behind the record-breaking Taycan. How did they all fit in?